Land Transaction Permission Zone Designated Around Gwangju Military Airport Ahead of Semiconductor Mega Project (Update)

364 km² Designated by the Central Urban Planning Committee

Effective for Two Years Starting July 14

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on July 9 that it will designate 364.19 square kilometers encompassing the Gwangju Military Airport site and surrounding areas as a Land Transaction Permission Zone (LTPZ). This measure is intended to preempt instability in the real estate market, following the government’s July 6 announcement of a plan to establish a semiconductor industrial complex in the Honam region as part of a megaproject, which has led to a surge in real estate investment demand in the area.

The ministry reached this decision after a review by the Central Urban Planning Committee on the same day. The designated area includes 124.98 square kilometers in Gwangsan District, where Gwangju Airport is located, as well as 26.94 square kilometers in Seo District, 22.66 square kilometers in Dong District, 44.76 square kilometers in Nam District, and 28.72 square kilometers in Buk District. Additionally, large areas in Naju City (97.93 square kilometers), Jangseong County (5.43 square kilometers), and Hwasun County (12.77 square kilometers) are included in the designation.

A passenger plane is flying over Gwangju Military Airport in Gwangsan District, Gwangju, Jeonnam. The government has selected Gwangju Military Airport as the site for the Honam semiconductor cluster. Yonhap News

The zone has been designated in a circular shape centered around the military airport site, which is slated for development. The public notice was issued immediately, and the designation will be effective for two years from July 14, 2026, to July 13, 2028. This LTPZ covers the planned site of the Honam Advanced National Industrial Complex for semiconductors and adjacent areas, based on legal district and village boundaries.

All land transactions exceeding a certain area, depending on land use category, require prior approval. In urban areas, residential land over 60 square meters, commercial and industrial land over 150 square meters each, and green areas over 200 square meters require permission. In areas without designated land use, transactions over 60 square meters require approval. In non-urban areas, farmland over 500 square meters, forest land over 1,000 square meters, and other land types over 250 square meters will also require permission.

Even after obtaining approval, there is a mandatory actual use requirement within five years. Violation of this requirement will result in an order to comply and an administrative fine. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Special City plan to closely monitor the newly designated zones, and will respond strictly if any suspicious transactions or speculative activities are identified.

Current Status of Land Transaction Permission Zones in Gwangju, Jeonnam. Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

The government has previously designated LTPZs during large-scale development projects to prevent speculative demand from concentrating in these areas. Currently, designated zones are also in place around the Yongin System Semiconductor National Industrial Complex, the Seoul Yongsan International Business District development, and public housing projects related to the third phase of new cities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.